The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi,

I am seeking a small spring for the belt tensioner arm of my Edison Gem. It has to be an S-shaped leaf-spring-type for Model A's and early B's. I attach a photo that shows what I mean (marked in red).

Does anyone know someone who offers these springs?

Thanks,
Helmut

Call Ron Sitko. He probably has them.

Jim

I always use a spring from a click ballpoint pen ! You can get it to work really easily using just a part and you have some left over for another cost 10 cents !

Thanks everybody so far!

A spring from a pen is not working here, as this model doesn't work with a coil-type spring like this but needs a "leaf spring" in S shape.

Ron just has flat governor spring material that I would have to bend into shape. As I am not good in this, I'd prefer a spring that is already in shape.

Any idea where to get one?

Wyatt's lists one a $1

http://www.wyattsmusical.com/gem.pdf

Thanks! But the image of the number 1186 is of a flat leaf spring. I assume this is how they sell this. So I'd have to bend it into shape myself as well.

I wonder if noone offers these springs already in shape.

Hi, just found your post about your Gem belt tensioner. I recently purchased my Gem on
eBay, and it needed a few items including a rebuild of the reproducer. I am kind of new at collecting Edison phonographs, so I sent the reproducer to a repair person from U tube.
Anyway while awaiting the return, I decided to try oiling and lubricating the machine
and found a similar problem, except my tensioner arm is hardly movable. I can push it by hand, but it is stiff, and stays where I push it. I had no idea there was a spring attached to it, still can’t see mine as it it dirty .I appreciated your photos, very clear and also very clean. Did you find your spring? And what did you use to clean and lubricate the mainspring It looks great...thanks. Bobmc